Empathy

Before you put someone in their place, you should put yourself in theirs.”
~ David Denotairs

Having compassion and empathy for the customers and clients you work with will support them in accessing their own personal power.  All people deserve that extra ounce of respect and understanding.

Empathy is:  definition from Webster's New World Dictionary of American English

       1.  the projection of one's own personality into the personality of another in order to understand the person better; the ability to share in another's emotions, thoughts, or feelings
       2.  the projection of one's own personality into an object, with the attribution to the object of one's own emotions, responses, etc.

Compassion is:  definition from Webster's New World Dictionary of American English

       1.  to feel pity
       2.  Sorrow for the sufferings or trouble of another or others, accompanied
            by an urge to help;
       3.  deep sympathy;
       4.  pity

When you show empathy and compassion, you are giving your client a gift.  You are endorsing them for who they are and acknowledging them for their growth, challenges, results, accomplishments and their humanness.  By seeing a situation through the eyes of your clients and taking the time to walk in his or her shoes, you will find that the relationship you build will be sustainable over time, and you will become well known in the world of business as someone who truly cares about the well-being of your clients.

To develop compassion and empathy for others, it will be important for you to fully develop empathy and compassion for yourself, your shortcomings, and even your failures in life.  Work with a mentor or coach around how to develop this skill by beginning with you.

Remember:
You are the best thing about your life, so be kind to yourself starting today!